Mann's Jelly Worm

Mann's Bait Company helped turn the soft-plastic worm into a widely distributed, standardized bass lure. Its Jelly Worm became especially visible during the growth of organized tournament fishing in the 1970s.

A classic method is the Texas rig, with the hook point buried in the worm to reduce snagging around vegetation and wood. Anglers may add a sliding bullet weight or fish the worm with little weight for a slower fall.

The worm became known for a strong fruit-like scent incorporated into the soft plastic. Mann's sold versions associated with scents such as grape and strawberry, giving the lure a recognizable identity beyond its shape.

A traditional Jelly Worm has the longer, curved profile of a conventional plastic worm and is often worked on a Texas rig. Gary Yamamoto's Senko is a thicker stick bait designed around a distinctive horizontal fall, especially when rigged weightless or wacky style.